Though not one of the original Twelve, St. Paul has always been known as an Apostle (literally meaning “one who is sent out”), and moreover a leader of the Apostles. As such, he is often shown in Icons of the Apostles, including the one at the top of the page. Paul is always depicted with brown hair and beard tapering to one or two points. He is balding with a high forehead (signifying great wisdom and learning) but with a tuft of brown hair in the centre. He is often shown carrying a large Gospel book, an affirmation of the number of epistles he contributed to what became the New Testament. In addition, the Evangelist Luke was a physician who followed St. Paul on his missionary trips, so it is fair to say that Paul would also have had an influence upon the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts.

TWENTY-SEVEN & EIGHT

​Jesus is The author and finisher of Paul's FaithKEY VERSE 27:23-24 The angel of the LordKEY VERSE 28:8-9, 23 and 31 Paul brings Jesus to Caesar & Rome +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Color Code The Ongoing Ministry of Jesus in around and through the ChurchYellow/gold = Seeing Jesus continued ministryTeal/blue = Seeing the action of the Holy Spirit to reveal JesusBurgundy/red = Seeing the ongoing and evolving mission/witness of the Church to the Testimony of Jesus

1 When it was decided that we were to sail for Italy, they transferred Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan Cohort, named Julius. 2 Embarking on a ship of Adramyttium that was about to set sail to the ports along the coast of Asia, we put to sea, accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica.

3 The next day we put in at Sidon; and Julius treated Paul kindly, and allowed him to go to his friends to be cared for.

4 Putting out to sea from there, we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were against us. 5 After we had sailed across the sea that is off Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra in Lycia.

6 There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship bound for Italy and put us on board. 7 We sailed slowly for a number of days and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, and as the wind was against us, we sailed under the lee of Crete off Salmone. 8 Sailing past it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near the city of Lasea.

9 Since much time had been lost and sailing was now dangerous, because even the Fast had already gone by, Paul advised them, 10 saying, ‘Sirs, I can see that the voyage will be with danger and much heavy loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.’ 11 But the centurion paid more attention to the pilot and to the owner of the ship than to what Paul said. 12 Since the harbour was not suitable for spending the winter, the majority was in favour of putting to sea from there, on the chance that somehow they could reach Phoenix, where they could spend the winter. It was a harbour of Crete, facing south-west and north-west.

The Storm at Sea

13 When a moderate south wind began to blow, they thought they could achieve their purpose; so they weighed anchor and began to sail past Crete, close to the shore. 14 But soon a violent wind, called the northeaster, rushed down from Crete.[a] 15 Since the ship was caught and could not be turned with its head to the wind, we gave way to it and were driven. 16 By running under the lee of a small island called Cauda[b]we were scarcely able to get the ship’s boat under control. 17 After hoisting it up they took measures[c] to undergird the ship; then, fearing that they would run on the Syrtis, they lowered the sea-anchor and so were driven. 18 We were being pounded by the storm so violently that on the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard, 19 and on the third day with their own hands they threw the ship’s tackle overboard. 20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned.

21 Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul then stood up among them and said, ‘Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and thereby avoided this damage and loss. 22 I urge you now to keep up your courage, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.

23 For last night there stood by me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, 24 and he said, “Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before the emperor; and indeed, God has granted safety to all those who are sailing with you.”

25 So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. 26 But we will have to run aground on some island.’

27 When the fourteenth night had come, as we were drifting across the sea of Adria, about midnight the sailors suspected that they were nearing land. 28 So they took soundings and found twenty fathoms; a little farther on they took soundings again and found fifteen fathoms.

29 Fearing that we might run on the rocks, they let down four anchors from the stern and prayed for day to come. 30 But when the sailors tried to escape from the ship and had lowered the boat into the sea, on the pretext of putting out anchors from the bow,

31 Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers,

‘Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.’

32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the boat and set it adrift.33 Just before daybreak, Paul urged all of them to take some food, saying,

‘Today is the fourteenth day that you have been in suspense and remaining without food, having eaten nothing. 34 Therefore I urge you to take some food, for it will help you survive; for none of you will lose a hair from your heads.’

35 After he had said this, he took bread; and giving thanks to God in the presence of all, he broke it and began to eat.

36 Then all of them were encouraged and took food for themselves. 37 (We were in all two hundred and seventy-six[d] persons in the ship.) 38 After they had satisfied their hunger, they lightened the ship by throwing the wheat into the sea.

The Shipwreck

39 In the morning they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach, on which they planned to run the ship ashore, if they could. 40 So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea. At the same time they loosened the ropes that tied the steering-oars; then hoisting the foresail to the wind, they made for the beach. 41 But striking a reef,[e] they ran the ship aground; the bow stuck and remained immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the force of the waves.

42 The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, so that none might swim away and escape; 43 but the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land, 44 and the rest to follow, some on planks and others on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land.

1 After we had reached safety, we then learned that the island was called Malta. 2 The natives showed us unusual kindness. Since it had begun to rain and was cold, they kindled a fire and welcomed all of us round it.

3 Paul had gathered a bundle of brushwood and was putting it on the fire, when a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand.

4 When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, ‘This man must be a murderer; though he has escaped from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live.’

5 He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 They were expecting him to swell up or drop dead, but after they had waited a long time and saw that nothing unusual had happened to him, they changed their minds and began to say that he was a god.

7 Now in the neighbourhood of that place were lands belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days.

8 It so happened that the father of Publius lay sick in bed with fever and dysentery.Paul visited him and cured him by praying and putting his hands on him. 9 After this happened, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured.

10 They bestowed many honours on us, and when we were about to sail, they put on board all the provisions we needed.

Paul Arrives at Rome

11 Three months later we set sail on a ship that had wintered at the island, an Alexandrian ship with the Twin Brothers as its figurehead. 12 We put in at Syracuse and stayed there for three days; 13 then we weighed anchor and came to Rhegium. After one day there a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli. 14 There we found believers[a] and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome. 15 The believers[b] from there, when they heard of us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage.

16 When we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him.Paul and Jewish Leaders in Rome

17 Three days later he called together the local leaders of the Jews. When they had assembled, he said to them, ‘Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors, yet I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. 18 When they had examined me, the Romans[c] wanted to release me, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. 19 But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to the emperor—even though I had no charge to bring against my nation. 20 For this reason therefore I have asked to see you and speak with you,[d] since it is for the sake of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.’

21 They replied, ‘We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of the brothers coming here has reported or spoken anything evil about you. 22 But we would like to hear from you what you think, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.’

Paul Preaches in Rome

23 After they had fixed a day to meet him, they came to him at his lodgings in great numbers. From morning until evening he explained the matter to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the law of Moses and from the prophets. 24 Some were convinced by what he had said, while others refused to believe.

25 So they disagreed with each other; and as they were leaving, Paul made one further statement:

​‘The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your ancestors through the prophet Isaiah,

26 “Go to this people and say,

You will indeed listen, but never understand, and you will indeed look, but never perceive.

27 For this people’s heart has grown dull, and their ears are hard of hearing,and they have shut their eyes; so that they might not look with their eyes, and listen with their ears,and understand with their heart and turn and I would heal them.”

28 Let it be known to you then that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.’[e]30 He lived there for two whole years at his own expense[f] and welcomed all who came to him,

31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.

ACTS 29Is your Communionfire in Jesus! Knowing Him and making Him known to your family, friends, fellowship and world around you...

Jesus loves you and will continue the Book of His ACTS in you, through you and because of His great love for you. We are now His emissaries declaring with Paul, the reality of Jesus and His Eternal Kingdom! We are His Bride who He loves with all His heart... who He may return to be with Him forever... perhaps even today!

Jesus is The King before the king and judgeKEY VERSE 25:11c I must witness to CaesarKEY VERSE 26:2-27 The Witness of Paul to the Testimony of Jesus+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Color Code The Ongoing Ministry of Jesus in around and through the ChurchYellow/gold = Seeing Jesus continued ministryTeal/blue = Seeing the action of the Holy Spirit to reveal JesusBurgundy/red = Seeing the ongoing and evolving mission/witness of the Church to the Testimony of JesusGreen: Response of this world

And As Paul went to Rome, Andrew to Byzantium, Mark to Africa, James went to Spain, Bartholomew went to Syria signs wonders and miracles accompanied their witnesses as they shared their Communion with Jesus and lit CommunionFires where any of th 11, the 70, the 120 and 500 went.... See Acts 1-2... We are now living in Acts 29!

Acts 25New Life Version (NLV)

Paul Stands in Front of Festus

1 Three days after Festus had become leader in the country, he went from the city of Caesarea to Jerusalem.

2 The head religious leaders and the leaders of the Jews told Festus what they had against Paul.

3 They asked Festus for a favor. They wanted Paul to be brought to Jerusalem because they had plans to kill him on the way.

4 Festus told them that Paul was to be kept in Caesarea and that he would be going there soon.

5 Festus said, “If Paul has done anything wrong, let your leaders go along with me and say what they have against him.”

6 After staying with them about ten days, Festus went down to Caesarea. The next day he sat in the courtroom and asked for Paul to be brought in.

7 Paul came into the courtroom.

The Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him. They said many bad things against him. But they could not prove any of the things they said.

8 Paul spoke for himself, saying, “I have done nothing wrong against the Law of the Jews or against the house of God or against Caesar.”

9 Festus was hoping to get the respect of the Jews. He asked Paul, “Will you go to the court in Jerusalem and let me say if you are guilty or not about these things?”

10 Paul said,

“I am standing in front of Caesar’s court where I should be told I am right or wrong. I have done no wrong to the Jews. You know that. 11 If I have done wrong and should die, I am not trying to keep from dying. But if these things they say against me are not true, no one can give me over to them.

I ask to be taken to Caesar.”

12 Festus talked to the leaders of the court. Then he said to Paul, “You have asked to be taken to Caesar.

You will go to him.”

Festus Tells King Agrippa about Paul

13 After a few days, King Agrippa and his wife, Bernice, came down to Caesarea. They went to Festus to greet him.14 They stayed there a few days.

Festus told them about Paul. He said,

“There is a man here who was left in prison by Felix. 15 When I was at Jerusalem, the head religious leaders and the leaders of the people told me about him and asked me to say that he is guilty.

16 I told them it was against the Roman law to hand over a man to be put to death before he stood face to face with those who had something against him and could speak for himself.

17 When they came here, I took my seat in the courtroom at once. I had the man brought in. 18 When the others spoke, they had nothing against him that I thought they had.

19 They did not agree with him about their own religion, and they argued about someone called Jesus. He had died but Paul kept sayingHe is alive.

20 I did not know what to do. Then I asked him if he would go on trial about these things at Jerusalem.

21 But Paul asked to go on trial in front of Caesar. I said that he should be kept in prison until he could be sent to Caesar.”

22 Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear this man.”

Festus said, “Tomorrow you will hear him.”

Paul Stands in Front of King Agrippa

23 The next day Agrippa and Bernice came into the courtroom. They were dressed to show their greatness as king and queen. Army leaders and leading men of the city came in with them. Festus had Paul brought in.

24 Festus said,

“King Agrippa and all of you who are here with us, you see this man. All of the Jews both here and at Jerusalem are saying that Paul should be put to death. 25 I have heard nothing against him that would be reason to put him to death. But he asked for a trial in front of Caesar. I have agreed to send Paul to him. 26 When I write to Caesar, I have nothing to say against him. ​

For this reason, I brought him in front of you all and in front of you, King Agrippa. After we ask him questions, I may have something to write about.

​27 It is foolish for me to send a man up for trial without writing what is against him.”

2“King Agrippa, the Jews have said many things against me. I am happy to be able to tell you my side of the story. 3 You know all about the Jewish ways and problems. So I ask you to listen to me until I have finished.4 “All the Jews know about my life from the time I was a boy until now. I lived among my own people in Jerusalem. 5 If they would tell what they know, they would say that I lived the life of a proud religious law-keeper. I was in the group of proud religious law-keepers who tried to obey every law.6 “And now I am on trial here because I trust the promise God made to our fathers. 7 This promise is what our twelve family groups of the Jewish nation hope to see happen. They worship God day and night. King Agrippa, it is because of this hope that they are saying things against me. 8 Why do you think it is hard to believe that God raises people from the dead?9 “I used to think I should work hard against the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 I did that in Jerusalem. I put many of the followers in prison. The head religious leaders gave me the right and the power to do it. Then when the followers were killed, I said it was all right. 11 I beat them and tried to make them speak against God in all the Jewish places of worship. In my fight against them, I kept going after them even into cities in other countries.12 “When I was going to Damascus to do this, I had the right and the power from the head religious leaders to make it hard for the followers.

13 I was on the road at noon. King Agrippa, I saw a light from heaven brighter than the sun. It was shining around me and the men with me. 14 We all fell to the ground. Then I heard a voice speaking to me in the Jewish language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you working so hard against Me? You hurt yourself by trying to hurt Me.’

15 I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’

And He said, ‘I am Jesus, the One you are working against. 16 Get up. Stand on your feet. I have chosen you to work for Me. You will tell what you have seen and you will say what I want you to say. This is the reason I have allowed you to see Me. 17 I will keep you safe from the Jews and from the people who are not Jews. I am sending you to these people. 18 You are to open their eyes. You are to turn them from darkness to light. You are to turn them from the power of Satan to the power of God. In this way, they may have their sins forgiven. They may have what is given to them, along with all those who are set apart for God by having faith in Me.’19 “King Agrippa, I obeyed what I saw from heaven.

20 First I told what I saw to those in Damascus and then in Jerusalem. I told it through all the country of Judea. I even preached to the people who are not Jews that they should be sorry for their sins and turn from them to God. I told them they should do things to show they are sorry for their sins.

21 “That is why the Jews took hold of me in the house of God and tried to kill me. 22 God has helped me. To this day I have told these things to the people who are well-known and to those not known. I have told only what the early preachers and Moses said would happen.

23 It was that Christ must suffer and be the first to rise from the dead. He would give light to the Jews and to the other nations.”

24 As Paul was speaking for himself, Festus cried out in a loud voice, “Paul, you are crazy! All your learning keeps you from thinking right!”

25 Paul said, “Most respected Festus, I am not crazy. I am speaking the truth! 26 The king knows about all this. I am free to speak to him in plain words. Nothing I have said is new to him. These things happened where everyone saw them. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the writings of the early preachers? I know that you believe them.”

28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “In this short time you have almost proven to me that I should become a Christian!”

29 Paul said,

“My prayer to God is that you and all who hear me today would be a Christian as I am, only not have these chains!”

30 King Agrippa and Festus and Bernice and those who sat with them got up.

31 As they left the courtroom, they said to each other,

“This man has done nothing for which he should be kept in prison or be put to death.”

32 Agrippa told Festus, “This man could go free if he had not asked to be sent to Caesar.”

Jesus is (v.14) The WayKEY VERSE (v. 21b) This is about the ResurrectionKEY VERSE (v.14-21) Paul's Defence, Apology and Polemic +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Color Code The Ongoing Ministry of Jesus in around and through the ChurchYellow/gold = Seeing Jesus continued ministryTeal/blue = Seeing the action of the Holy Spirit to reveal JesusBurgundy/red = Seeing the ongoing and evolving mission/witness of the Church to the Testimony of Jesus

‘It is about the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’

Paul before Felix at Caesarea​1 Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and an attorney, a certain Tertullus, and they reported their case against Paul to the governor.

2 When Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying:

“Your Excellency, because of you we have long enjoyed peace, and reforms have been made for this people because of your foresight. 3 We welcome this in every way and everywhere with utmost gratitude. 4 But, to detain you no further, I beg you to hear us briefly with your customary graciousness.

5 We have, in fact, found this man:

* a pestilent fellow,

* an agitator among all the Jews throughout the world, and

* a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.

* 6 He even tried toprofane the temple,

and so we seized him.

8 By examining him yourself you will be able to learn from him concerning everything of which we accuse him.”

9 The Jews also joined in the charge by asserting that all this was true.

>Go to column two now<

​22 But Felix, who was rather well informed about the Way, adjourned the hearing with the comment,

“When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.” 23 Then he ordered the centurion to keep him in custody, but to let him have some liberty and not to prevent any of his friends from taking care of his needs.

Paul Held in Custody

24 Some days later when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him speak concerning faith in Christ Jesus. ​25 And as he discussed justice, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said,

“Go away for the present; when I have an opportunity, I will send for you.”

26 At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul, and for that reason he used to send for him very often and converse with him.

27 After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and since he wanted to grant the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.

10 When the governor motioned to him to speak, Paul replied: “I cheerfully make my defense, knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation.

11 As you can find out, it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem.

12 They did not find me disputing with anyone in the temple or stirring up a crowd either in the synagogues or throughout the city.

13 Neither can they prove to you the charge that they now bring against me.

14 But this I admit to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect,

* I worship the God of our ancestors,

* believing everything laid down according to the law or written in the prophets.

* 15 I have a hope in God—a hope that they themselves also accept--

* that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous. * 16 Therefore I do my best always to have a clear conscience toward God and all people.

17 Now after some years I came to bring alms to my nation and to offer sacrifices.

18 While I was doing this, they found me in the temple, completing the rite of purification, without any crowd or disturbance.

19 But there were some Jews from Asia—they ought to be here before you to make an accusation, if they have anything against me. 20 Or let these men here tell what crime they had found when I stood before the council,

21 unless it was this one sentence that I called out while standing before them,‘It is about the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’”

Jesus is Lord of St. Paul's life v.11KEY VERSE v.1 The witness of St. PaulKEY VERSE v.6 His witness is to the hope and the resurrection of the dead +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Color Code The Ongoing Ministry of Jesus in around and through the ChurchYellow/gold = Seeing Jesus continued ministryTeal/blue = Seeing the action of the Holy Spirit to reveal JesusBurgundy/red = Seeing the ongoing and evolving mission/witness of the Church to the Testimony of Jesus

1 And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.”

2 And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth.

3 Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?”

4 Those who stood by said, “Would you revile God's high priest?”

5 And Paul said, “I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”6 Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees.

It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.”

7 And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided.

8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit,

that is why they are Sad-U-C! : )

BUT the Pharisees acknowledge them all (resurrection, angels, spirit).

that is why they can say, That's how "Far-i-see!" : )

9 Then a great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees' party stood up and contended sharply,

“We find nothing wrong in this man. What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?”

10 And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force and bring him into the barracks.

11 The following night the Lord stood by him (Paul) and said,

“Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”

A Plot to Kill Paul

12 When it was day, the Jews made a plot and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.

13 There were more than forty who made this conspiracy.

14 They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food till we have killed Paul.

15 Now therefore you, along with the council, give notice to the tribune to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case more exactly. And we are ready to kill him before he comes near.”

St. Paul's Background:

​the apostle, was born about the same time as our Lord.

His circumcision-name was Saul, and probably the name Paul was also given to him in infancy “for use in the Gentile world,” as “Saul” would be his Hebrew home-name.

He was

a native of Tarsus, the capital of Cilicia, a Roman province in the southeast of Asia Minor.

That city stood on the banks of the river Cydnus, which was navigable thus far; hence it became a center of extensive commercial traffic with many countries along the shores of the Mediterranean, as well as with the countries of central Asia Minor. It thus became a city distinguished for the wealth of its inhabitants.

Tarsus was also the seat of a famous university, higher in reputation even than the universities of Athens and Alexandria, the only others that then existed.

​Here Saul was born, and here he spent his youth, doubtless enjoying the best education his native city could afford. HIS RELATIVES—His father was of the straitest sect of the Jews, a Pharisee, of the tribe of Benjamin, of pure and unmixed Jewish blood (Acts 23:6; Phil. 3:5).

We learn nothing regarding his mother; but there is reason to conclude that she was a pious woman, and that, like-minded with her husband, she exercised all a mother influence in moulding the character of her son, so that he could afterwards speak of himself as being, from his youth up, “touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless” (Phil. 3:6).

We read of his sister and his sister's son (Acts 23:16),

and of other relatives (Rom. 16:7, 11-12).

There is no indication that Paul was ever married.

Though a Jew, his father was a Roman citizen. How he obtained this privilege we are not informed. “It might be bought, or won by distinguished service to the state, or acquired in several other ways; at all events, his son was freeborn. It was a valuable privilege, and one that was to prove of great use to Paul, although not in the way in which his father might have been expected to desire him to make use of it.”

16 Now the son of Paul's sister heard of their ambush, so he went and entered the barracks and told Paul.

17 Paul called one of the centurions and said,

“Take this young man to the tribune, for he has something to tell him.”

18 So he took him and brought him to the tribune and said,

“Paul the prisoner called me and asked me to bring this young man to you, as he has something to say to you.”

19 The tribune took him by the hand, and going aside asked him privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?”

20 And he said,

“The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more closely about him.21 But do not be persuaded by them, for more than forty of their men are lying in ambush for him, who have bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they have killed him. And now they are ready, waiting for your consent.”

22 So the tribune dismissed the young man, charging him, “Tell no one that you have informed me of these things.”

Paul Sent to Felix the Governor

23 Then he called two of the centurions and said, “Get ready two hundred soldiers, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spear men to go as far as Caesarea at the third hour of the night.[a]

​24 Also provide mounts for Paul to ride and bring him safely to Felix the governor.”

25 And he wrote a letter to this effect:

The Letter to Governor Felix

26 “Claudius Lysias, to his Excellency the governor Felix, greetings. 27 This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them when I came upon them with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman citizen. 28 And desiring to know the charge for which they were accusing him, I brought him down to their council. 29 I found that he was being accused about questions of their law, but charged with nothing deserving death or imprisonment. 30 And when it was disclosed to me that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, ordering his accusers also to state before you what they have against him.”

31 So the soldiers, according to their instructions, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris.

32 And on the next day they returned to the barracks, letting the horsemen go on with him.

33 When they had come to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they presented Paul also before him.

Perhaps the most natural career for the youth to follow was that of a merchant. “But it was decided that… he should go to college and become a rabbi, that is, a minister, a teacher, and a lawyer all in one.” According to Jewish custom, however, he learned a trade before entering on the more direct preparation for the sacred profession. The trade he acquired was the making of tents from goats' hair cloth, a trade which was one of the commonest in Tarsus. His preliminary education having been completed, Saul was sent, when about thirteen years of age probably, to the great Jewish school of sacred learning at Jerusalem as a student of the law. Here he became a pupil of the celebrated rabbi Gamaliel, and here he spent many years in an elaborate study of the Scriptures and of the many questions concerning them with which the rabbis exercised themselves. During these years of diligent study he lived “in all good conscience,” unstained by the vices of that great city.

Paul had one passion, namely, Christ, and thus the passage before us is the only reference we have to any of the Apostle’s natural relatives—his sister and her son—both of whom are unnamed.

Whether his sister and his nephew were Christians, we are not told. The latter’s eagerness to save his uncle from imminent danger suggests he had a deep regard for him. How could mother and son be so closely related to the mighty Apostle, and not share his devotion for Christ!

If mother and son were among his kinsmen at Rome whom Paul mentions (Romans 16:7, 11), then they might have come up to Jerusalem to keep the Feast. While there the son heard of the plot to kill his notable uncle, and thus became the means of his escape from death. Ever grateful for the assistance of those who loved him in the Lord, Paul must have been thankful for the nephew who came to him as soon as he heard of the intention of the Apostle’s foes to get rid of him. Here, again, we wonder at the silence of Scripture as to the identity of many it mentions! Why does Paul give us the names of other women and their sons, yet withhold the names of his own dear sister to whom he must have been attached in childhood, now, probably, a widow, and her son?

​Jesus is directing Paul's destiny every step of the way and in every word he speaksKEY VERSE 15 because you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard.KEY VERSE 18 and I saw Yeshua.+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Color Code The Ongoing Ministry of Jesus in around and through the ChurchYellow/gold = Seeing Jesus continued ministryTeal/blue = Seeing the action of the Holy Spirit to reveal JesusBurgundy/red = Seeing the ongoing and evolving mission/witness of the Church to the Testimony of Jesus

1 “Brothers and fathers! Listen to me as I make my defense before you now!”

2 When they heard him speaking to them in Hebrew, they settled down more; so he continued:

3 “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city and trained at the feet of Gamli’el in every detail of the Torah of our forefathers. I was a zealot for God, as all of you are today. 4 I persecuted to death the followers of this Way, arresting both men and women and throwing them in prison. 5 The cohen hagadol and the whole Sanhedrin can also testify to this. Indeed, after receiving letters from them to their colleagues in Dammesek, I was on my way there in order to arrest the ones in that city too and bring them back to Yerushalayim for punishment.

6“As I was traveling and approaching Dammesek, around noon, suddenly a brilliant light from heaven flashed all around me!

7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Sha’ul! Sha’ul! Why do you keep persecuting me?’

8 I answered, ‘Sir, who are you?’ ‘I am Yeshua from Natzeret,’ he said to me, ‘and you are persecuting me!’

9 Those who were with me did see the light, but they didn’t hear the voice of the one who was speaking to me.

10 I said ‘What should I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Get up, and go into Dammesek, and there you will be told about everything that has been laid out for you to do.’

11 I had been blinded by the brightness of the light, so my companions led me by the hand into Dammesek.

12 “A man named Hananyah, an observant follower of the Torah who was highly regarded by the entire Jewish community there, 13 came to me, stood by me and said, ‘Brother Sha’ul, see again!’ And at that very moment, I recovered my sight and saw him.

14 He said,

‘The God of our fathers[a] determined in advance that you should know his will, see the Tzaddik and hear his voice;

15 because you will be a witness for him to everyone

of what you have seen and heard.

​16 So now, what are you waiting for? Get up, immerse yourself and have your sins washed away as you call on his name.’

17 “After I had returned to Yerushalayim, it happened that as I was praying in the Temple, I went into a trance,

18 and I saw Yeshua.

‘Hurry!’ he said to me, ‘Get out of Yerushalayim immediately, because they will not accept what you have to say about me.’

​19 I said, ‘Lord, they know themselves that in every synagogue I used to imprison and flog those who trusted in you;

20 also that when the blood of your witness Stephen was being shed, I was standing there too, in full agreement; I was even looking after the clothes of the ones who were killing him!’

21 But he said, ‘Get going! For I am going to send you far away — to the Goyim!’”

17 “After I had returned to Yerushalayim, it happened that as I was praying in the Temple, I went into a trance,

18 and I saw Yeshua. ‘Hurry!’ he said to me, ‘Get out of Yerushalayim immediately, because they will not accept what you have to say about me.’

19 I said, ‘Lord, they know themselves that in every synagogue I used to imprison and flog those who trusted in you;

20 also that when the blood of your witness Stephen was being shed, I was standing there too, in full agreement; I was even looking after the clothes of the ones who were killing him!’

​21 But he said, ‘Get going! For I am going to send you far away — to the Goyim!’”​22 They had been listening to him up to this point; but now they shouted at the top of their lungs,

“Rid the earth of such a man! He’s not fit to live!”

23 They were screaming, waving their clothes and throwing dust into the air;

24 so the commander ordered him brought into the barracks and directed that he be interrogated and whipped, in order to find out why they were yelling at him like this.

25 But as they were stretching him out with thongs to be flogged, Sha’ul said to the captain standing by,

“Is it legal for you to whip a man who is a Roman citizen and hasn’t even had a trial?”

26 When the captain heard that, he went and reported it to the commander, “Do you realize what you’re doing? This man is a Roman citizen!”

27 The commander came and said to Sha’ul, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” “Yes,” he said.

28 The commander replied, “I bought this citizenship for a sizable sum of money.” “But I was born to it,” Sha’ul said.

29 At once the men who had been about to interrogate him drew back from him; and the commander was afraid too, because he realized that he had put this man who was a Roman citizen in chains.

30 However, the next day, since he wanted to know the specific charge the Judeans were bringing against him, he released him and ordered the head cohanim and the whole Sanhedrin to meet.

​Jesus is the Spirit of prophecyKEY VERSE 13a) “Why are you crying and making me feel so sad?KEY VERSE 13b) I am willing to be put in jail in Jerusalem. I am even ready to die for the name of the Lord Jesus!”+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Color Code The Ongoing Ministry of Jesus in around and through the ChurchYellow/gold = Seeing Jesus continued ministryTeal/blue = Seeing the action of the Holy Spirit to reveal JesusBurgundy/red = Seeing the ongoing and evolving mission/witness of the Church to the Testimony of Jesus

1 After we said goodbye to the elders,

we sailed away straight toCos island.

The next day we went tothe island of Rhodes,

and from there we wentto Patara.

2 There we found a ship that was going to the area of Phoenicia. We got on the ship and sailed away.

3 We sailed near the island of Cyprus. We could see it on the north side, but we did not stop.

We sailed to the country of Syria.

We stopped at Tyre because the ship needed to unload its cargo there.4 We found the Lord’s followers there and stayed with them for seven days.

Prophetic Insight #1They warned Paul not to go to Jerusalem because of what the Spirit had told them.

5 But when our time there was up, we returned to the ship to continue our trip. All the followers, even the women and children, came with us to the seashore. We all knelt down on the beach, prayed,6 and said goodbye. Then we got on the ship, and the followers went home.

7 We continued our trip from Tyre and went to the city of Ptolemais. We greeted the believers there and stayed with them one day.

8 The next day we left Ptolemais and went to the city of Caesarea. We went into the home of Philip and stayed with him. He had the work of telling the Good News. He was one of the seven helpers (original 7 deacons).

Prophetic Insight #2​9 He had four unmarried daughters who had the gift of prophesying.

Prophetic Insight #310 After we had been there for several days, a prophet named Agabus came from Judea.11 He came to us and borrowed Paul’s belt. He used it to tie his own hands and feet. He said, “The Holy Spirit tells me, ‘This is how the Jews in Jerusalem will tie up the man who wears this belt.Then they will hand him over to people who don’t know God.’”

12 When we heard this, we and the other followers there begged Paul not to go to Jerusalem.

13 But he said, “Why are you crying and making me feel so sad? I am willing to be put in jail in Jerusalem. I am even ready to die for the name of the Lord Jesus!”

14 We could not persuade him to stay away from Jerusalem. So we stopped begging him and said, “We pray that what the Lord wants will be done.”

15 After this, we got ready and left for Jerusalem.

16 Some of the followers of Jesus from Caesarea went with us. These followers took us to the home of Mnason, a man from Cyprus, who was one of the first people to be a follower of Jesus. They took us to his home so that we could stay with him.

Paul Visits James

17 The brothers and sisters in Jerusalem were very happy to see us.18 The next day Paul went with us to visit James, and all the elders were there. 19 After greeting them,

Paul told them point by point all that God had used him to do among the non-Jewish people.

​20 When the leaders heard this, they praised God. Then they said to Paul, “Brother, you can see that thousands of Jews have become believers, but they think it is very important to obey the Law of Moses.

21 They have been told that you teach the Jews who live in non-Jewish regions to stop following the Law of Moses. They have heard that you tell them not to circumcise their sons or follow our other customs.

22 “What should we do? The Jewish believers here will learn that you have come. 23 So we will tell you what to do:

Four of our men have made a vow[c] to God. 24 Take these men with you and share in their cleansing ceremony.[d] Pay their expenses so that they can shave their heads.[e]This will prove to everyone that the things they have heard about you are not true. They will see that you obey the Law of Moses in your own life.

25 “In regard to the non-Jewish believers, we have already sent a letter to them saying what we think they should do:

‘Don’t eat food that has been given to idols.

Don’t eat meat from animals that have been strangled or any meat that still has the blood in it.

Don’t be involved in sexual sin.’”

Paul Is Arrested

26 So Paul took the four men with him. The next day he shared in their cleansing ceremony. Then he went to the Temple area and announced the time when the days of the cleansing ceremony would be finished. On the last day an offering would be given for each of the men.

27 When the seven-day period was almost finished, some Jews from Asia saw Paul in the Temple area. They stirred up everyone into an angry mob. They grabbed Paul 28 and shouted, “Men of Israel, help us! This is the man who is teaching things that are against the Law of Moses, against our people, and against this Temple of ours. This is what he teaches people everywhere. And now he has brought some Greeks into the Temple area and has made this holy place unclean!” 29 (The Jews said this because they had seen Trophimus with Paul in Jerusalem. Trophimus was a man from Ephesus. The Jews thought that Paul had taken him into the holy area of the Temple.)

30 An angry reaction spread throughout the city, and everyone came running to the Temple. They grabbed Paul and dragged him out of the holy area, and the gates were closed immediately. 31 While they were trying to kill Paul, the commander of the Roman army in Jerusalem got word that the whole city was in a state of riot. 32 Immediately the commander ran to where the crowd had gathered, taking with him some army officers and soldiers. When the people saw the commander and his soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.

33 The commander went over to Paul and arrested him. He told his soldiers to tie him up with two chains. Then he asked, “Who is this man? What has he done wrong?” 34 Some people there were shouting one thing, and others were shouting something else. Because of all this confusion and shouting, the commander could not learn the truth about what had happened. So he told the soldiers to take Paul to the army building.

35-36 The whole crowd was following them. When the soldiers came to the steps, they had to carry Paul. They did this to protect him, because the people were ready to hurt him. The people were shouting, “Kill him!”

37 When the soldiers were ready to take Paul into the army building, he asked the commander, “Can I say something to you?”

The commander said, “Oh, you speak Greek? 38 Then you are not the man I thought you were. I thought you were the Egyptian who started some trouble against the government not long ago and led four thousand terrorists out to the desert.”

39 Paul said, “No, I am a Jew from Tarsus in the country of Cilicia. I am a citizen of that important city. Please, let me speak to the people.”

40 The commander told Paul he could speak.

​So he stood on the steps and waved his hand so that the people would be quiet. The people became quiet and Paul spoke to them in Aramaic.

And as they were breaking bread he fell out of the window and died, after Paul declared him alive by the same Spirit hat raised Christ from the dead - he walked back upstais and finished communion...

TWENTY Names of God Bible from Bible Gateway

Jesus confirms Paul's preaching during Comunion raising Euticus from the deadKEY VERSE: Verse 7 and 11 Commnion is the Living Bread KEY VERSE: Verses 9-10 Jesus Still Raises the Dead... Paul's final message to the graduates: Verse 35b More blessed to give... +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Color Code The Ongoing Ministry of Jesus in around and through the ChurchYellow/gold = Seeing Jesus continued ministryTeal/blue = Seeing the action of the Holy Spirit to reveal JesusBurgundy/red = Seeing the ongoing and evolving mission/witness of the Church to the Testimony of Jesus

​1 When the uproar was over, Paul sent for the disciples, encouraged them, said goodbye, and left for Macedonia.

2 He went through that region and spoke many words of encouragement to the people.

Then he went to Greece 3 and stayed there for three months.

Paul in Troas

When Paul was going to board a ship for Syria, he found out that the Jews were plotting to kill him. So he decided to go back through Macedonia.

4 Sopater (son of Pyrrhus) from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia accompanied Paul. 5 All these men went ahead and were waiting for us in Troas.

​6 After the Festival of Unleavened Bread, we boarded a ship at Philippi.

Five days later we joined them in Troas and stayed there for seven days.

7 On Sunday we met to break bread.

Paul was discussing Scripture with the people. Since he intended to leave the next day, he kept talking until midnight.

8 (Many lamps were lit in the upstairs room where we were meeting.)

9A young man named Eutychus was sitting in a window. As Paul was talking on and on, Eutychus was gradually falling asleep. Finally, overcome by sleep, he fell from the third story and

was dead when they picked him up.

10 Paul went to him, took him into his arms, and said, “Don’t worry! He’s alive!”

11 Then Eutychus went upstairs again, broke the bread, and ate.

Paul talked with the people for a long time, until sunrise, and then left. 12 The people took the boy home. They were greatly relieved that he was alive.

Paul’s Trip to Miletus​13 We went ahead to the ship and sailed for the city of Assos. At Assos, we were going to pick up Paul. He had made these arrangements, since he had planned to walk overland to Assos. 14 When Paul met us in Assos, we took him on board and went to the city of Mitylene.

15 We sailed from there. On the following day we approached the island of Chios. The next day we went by the island of Samos, and on the next day we arrived at the city of Miletus. 16 Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in the province of Asia. He was in a hurry to get to Jerusalem for the day of Pentecost, if that was possible.

Paul Meets with the Spiritual Leaders from Ephesus

17 From Miletus Paul sent messengers to the city of Ephesus and called the spiritual leaders[a] of the church to meet with him in Miletus. 18 When they were with him, he said to them,

“You know how I spent all my time with you from the first day I arrived in the province of Asia. 19 I humbly served the Lord, often with tears in my eyes. I served the Lord during the difficult times I went through when the Jews plotted against me."

20 "I didn’t avoid telling you anything that would help you, and I didn’t avoid teaching you publicly and from house to house. 21 I warned Jews and Greeks to change the way they think and act and to believe in our Lord Yeshua."

22 “I am determined to go to Jerusalem now. I don’t know what will happen to me there. 23 However, the Holy Spirit warns me in every city that imprisonment and suffering are waiting for me.

24 But I don’t place any value on my own life. I want to finish the race I’m running. I want to carry out the mission I received from the Lord Yeshua—the mission of testifying to the Good News of God’s kindness.[b]

25 “Now I know that none of you whom I told about the kingdom of God will see me again. 26 Therefore, I declare to you today that I am not responsible for the spiritual death of any of you.

27 I didn’t avoid telling you the whole plan of God. 28 Pay attention to yourselves and to the entire flock in which the Holy Spirit has placed you as bishops[c] to be shepherds for God’s church which he acquired with his own blood.

29 I know that fierce wolves will come to you after I leave, and they won’t spare the flock. 30 Some of your own men will come forward and say things that distort the truth.

They will do this to lure disciples into following them.

31 So be alert! Remember that I instructed each of you for three years, day and night, at times with tears in my eyes.

32 “I am now entrusting you to God and to his message that tells how kind he is. That message can help you grow and can give you the inheritance that is shared by all of God’s holy people.

33 “I never wanted anyone’s silver, gold, or clothes. 34 You know that I worked to support myself and those who were with me. 35 I have given you an example that by working hard like this we should help the weak.

We should remember the words that the Lord Yeshua said, ‘Giving gifts is more satisfying than receiving them.’”

36 When Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down and prayed with all of them. 37 Everyone cried a lot as they put their arms around Paul and kissed him. 38 The thought of not seeing Paul again hurt them most of all. Then they took Paul to the ship.

7 Men Accompanied Paul:Sopater from BEREA(Name = 'of a safe father, sound parentage, father who saves')Sosipater is honored as Saint Sosipater by the Eastern Orthodox Church with a feast day on 29 April. perhaps the relative of St. Paul seen in Acts 16. Sosipater, ordained bishop of Iconium by the Apostle Paul, his relative. With St. Jason, he converted the king of Corfu. Reference to in Romans 16:21#58 List of 70 Apostleshttp://www.communionfire.com/jesus/the-communionfire-commentary-on-the-book-of-acts-chapter-six

Aristarchus of MACEDONIA and (Name = 'best leader')Aristarchus is described as Paul's "fellow prisoner" and "fellow laborer" in Colossians 4:10 and Philemon 1:24, respectively. In Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic tradition, Aristarchus is identified as one of the Seventy Apostles and bishop of Apamea. He is commemorated as a saint and martyr on January 4, April 14, and September 27.See #10 List of 70 Apostles http://www.communionfire.com/jesus/the-communionfire-commentary-on-the-book-of-acts-chapter-six

Timothy of LYSTRA,(Name="Honors God; Honored by God")Pauls calls him 'son' Timothy. Hewas an early Christian evangelist and the first first-century Christian bishop of Ephesus, who tradition says died around the year AD 97.He accompanied St. Paul often, and both 1 and 2 Timothy are addressed to him. He was ordained bishop of Ephesus by St. Paul. He died a martyr.Reference to in Acts 16:1; 17:14, 15; 18:5; 19:22; 20:4; Romans 16:21; 1 and 2 TimothySee #65 List of 70 Apostleshttp://www.communionfire.com/jesus/the-communionfire-commentary-on-the-book-of-acts-chapter-six

Whenever the power of God is released by Jesus as He baptizes believers in the Holy Spirit the overflow and confirmation is speaking, praising and worshipping in the language of heaven and of angels. It is also in this new language that prayer has power to unhinge the enemies of the Kingdom of heaven.

The 12 who were Baptized in the Holy Spirit in Acts 19, were engaged with a new kind of professor and new kind of school. The school of the Holy Spirit cannot be imitated without the student belonging to Jesus. Even the demons know this and have no regard for those who invoke Jesus' name wthout the authority of the Holy Spirit.

Then the power of God sends the light of heaven into each person's darkness, exposing lies and deceipt that can even enslaves believers. So they gather their books of magic, darkness and idolatry and burn them.

The first enemy: the town silversmiths who create idols.The second enemy, those who worship a false god.The third enemy: a spirit of confusion and the devil.

The Lord demonstrates His love and final authority by miacles, signs and wonders... healing and delivering the sick, possessed and infirmed and creates from them a missionary force that reaches all of asia.

NINETEENAmplified Bible, Classic Edition

Jesus is baptizer and miracle worker And as Paul laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spoke in unknown tongues and prophesied.KEY VERSE 11 And God did unusual and extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul,KEY VERSE 12 So that handkerchiefs or towels or aprons which had touched his skin were carried away and put upon the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them.+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Color Code The Ongoing Ministry of Jesus in around and through the ChurchYellow/gold = Seeing Jesus continued ministryTeal/blue = Seeing the action of the Holy Spirit to reveal JesusBurgundy/red = Seeing the ongoing and evolving mission/witness of the Church to the Testimony of Jesus

Column One Column Two

1 While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul went through the upper inland districts and came down to Ephesus. There he found some disciples.

2 And he asked them, Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed [on Jesus as the Christ]?

And they said, No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.

3 And he asked, Into what [baptism] then were you baptized? They said, Into John’s baptism.

4 And Paul said, John baptized with the baptism of repentance, continually telling the people that they should believe in the One Who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus [having a conviction full of joyful trust that He is Christ, the Messiah, and being obedient to Him].

5 On hearing this:They were baptized [again, this time] in the name of the Lord Jesus.

6a And as Paul laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them;

6b and they spoke in [foreign, unknown] tongues *heavenly (languages) and prophesied.

7 There were about twelve of them in all.

8 And he went into the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly,

persuading and arguing and pleading about the kingdom of God.NOTE: (apology = defence of the faith; polemics = confronting opposition to the faith; as a lawyer-like messenger, preacher, teacher: To convince those who resist the Gospel of its heaven sent origin lived out and demonstrated revealing God's love by Jesus Christ (God come in the flesh) and His divine presence with those who believe through the day to day ingestion of the bread of His broken flesh - and - drinking of the wine of His poured out blood as a dynamic Communion with Jesus by His Spirit, who is the Lord.)

9 But when some became more and more stubborn (hardened and unbelieving), discrediting and reviling and speaking evil of the Way [of the Lord] before the congregation, he separated himself from them, taking the disciples with him, and went on holding daily discussions in the lecture room of Tyrannus from about ten o’clock till three. 10 This continued for two years, so that all the inhabitants of [the province of] Asia, Jews as well as Greeks, heard the Word of the Lord [concerning the [a]attainment through Christ of eternal salvation in the kingdom of God].

11 And God did unusual and extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 So that handkerchiefs or towels or aprons which had touched his skin: a) were carried away and b) put upon the sick, andc) their diseases left them andd) the evil spirits came out of them.

13 Then some of the traveling Jewish exorcists (men who adjure evil spirits) also undertook to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, I solemnly implore and charge you by the Jesus Whom Paul preaches!

15 But [one] evil spirit retorted, Jesus I know, and Paul I know [b]about, but who are you?

16 Then the man in whom the evil spirit dwelt leaped upon them, mastering [c]two of them, and was so violent against them that they dashed out of that house [in fear], stripped naked and wounded.

17 This became known to all who lived in Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks, and alarm and terror fell upon them all; and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled and magnified.

18 Many also of those who were now believers came making [d]full confession and thoroughly exposing their [former deceptive and evil] practices.

19 And many of those who had practiced curious, magical arts collected their books and [throwing them, [e]book after book, on the pile] burned them in the sight of everybody. When they counted the value of them, they found it amounted to 50,000 pieces of silver ([f]about $9,300).

​20 Thus the Word of the Lord [concerning the attainment through Christ of eternal salvation in the kingdom of God] grew and spread and intensified, prevailing mightily.

21 Now after these events Paul determined in the [Holy] Spirit that he would travel through Macedonia and Achaia (most of Greece) and go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must visit Rome also.22 And having sent two of his assistants, Timothy and Erastus, into Macedonia, he himself stayed on in [the province of] Asia for a while.

23 But as time went on, there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way [of the Lord].

24 For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of [the goddess] Artemis [h][Diana], brought no small income to his craftsmen.

25 These he called together, along with the work of similar trades, and said,

​"Men, you are acquainted with the facts and understand that from this business we derive our wealth and livelihood. 26 Now you notice and hear that not only at Ephesus but almost all over [the province of] Asia this Paul has persuaded and induced people to believe his teaching and has alienated a considerable company of them, saying that gods that are made with human hands are not really gods at all. 27 Now there is danger not merely that this trade of ours may be discredited, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may come into disrepute and count for nothing, and that her glorious magnificence may be degraded and fall into contempt—she whom all [the province of] Asia and the wide world worship."

(continued next column)

28 As they listened to this, they were filled with rage and they continued to shout, Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!

29 Then the city was filled with confusion; and they rushed together into the amphitheater, dragging along with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were fellow travelers with Paul. 30 Paul wished to go in among the crowd, but the disciples would not permit him to do it.

31 Even some of the Asiarchs (political or religious officials in Asia) who were his friends also sent to him and warned him not to risk venturing into the theater.32 Now some shouted one thing and some another, for the gathering was in a tumult and most of them did not know why they had come together. 33 Some of the crowd called upon Alexander [to speak], since the Jews had pushed and urged him forward. And Alexander motioned with his hand, wishing to make a defense and [planning] to apologize to the people.

34 But as soon as they saw him and recognized that he was a Jew, a shout went up from them as the voice of one man, as for about two hours they cried, Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!

35 And when the town clerk had calmed the crowd down, he said,

​"Men of Ephesus, what man is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of the sacred stone [image of her] that fell from the sky? 36 Seeing then that these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet (keep yourselves in check) and do nothing rashly. 37 For you have brought these men here, who are [guilty of] neither temple robberies nor blasphemous speech about our goddess. 38 Now then, if Demetrius and his fellow tradesmen who are with him have a grievance against anyone, the courts are open and proconsuls are [available]; let them bring charges against one another [legally]. 39 But if you require anything further about this or about other matters, it must be decided and cleared up in the regular assembly. 40 For we are in danger of being called to render an account and of being accused of rioting because of [this commotion] today, there being no reason that we can offer to justify this disorder.

Throughout the Book of Acts we see Paul and the disciples acting on the promptings of the Holy Spirit. It isn’t always clear how this works, and what combination of inspirations from people, events, scriptures, worship and reading of “signs” contributes to something like Paul resolving “in the Spirit” to leave Ephesus and Asia and go back to Macedonia and Achaia (i.e., Greece).

But Paul is no quietist: he doesn’t simply wait around for inspiration on occasions that demand initiative and action. Sometimes that instinct to act can get him into trouble and he wisely relies on his fellow workers to rein him in.

So here, Paul was about to step in to the boiling crowd “but the disciples would not let him.” Instead, it is an unnamed city clerk who soberly brings balance and perspective and restores calm to the situation. Paul couldn’t have done that in that situation.

Wherever there are human beings there will be confusion and conflict, and therefore there is a need for policies, procedures and people that can enable—if not guarantee—peaceful and orderly mediation and resolution.

This incident also points out a perennial temptation to let the businessof religion take over its spiritual aims. This can happen in an Orthodox Christian setting just as easily as it did among the craftsmen of Ephesus. Here again, balance and perspective are required. Paul ran a small business (tentmaker) and with the profits supported himself, his co-workers and others in need.

​He was attentive to doing his own and the church’s business in an above-board and transparent manner (as we see later in making collections for the Jerusalem community.) But he didn’t allow the business to set the direction or tone of the mission.

About the AuthorFr. John is Chancellor of the Orthodox Church in America. He has a PhD in New Testament (University of Thessaloniki), MDiv and DMin degrees from St. Vladimir’s Seminary and a long record of pastoral service, university teaching and academic writing.

The Lord continues to lead Paul and Paul continues to March 4th... I mean March Forth*!*see comment below

SALVATION HISTORY TURNING POINTPaul says, when the Jews opposed themselves and blasphemed when Paul said in the synogogue Jesus is The Christ, that "Your blood be upon your own heads, I am clean, from now on I will go to the Gentiles!"

NEW DYNAMIC of the GOSPELCOMMUNION with JESUS leads to Communion with the SAINTS; Jesus begets Christians who share the overflow from a growing COMMUNION-CENTRIC lifestyle

In Communion under the Surfside Pier on Sunday Sharon shared after Mary Cantwell shared about her Communion moment with Jesus - that she just realized March 4th was an important day in the life of a homeless man she led to Jesus who became an upstanding believer and from that moment kept Marching Forth in His walk with the Lord, led by the Spirit! The Holy Spirit also reminded her that at Rob's first CommunionFire gathering, He saw Jesus coming with great white horses from the clouds. Now Rob is with Jesus and Sharon was there to witness that Rob had moved in with Jesus at the funeral the day before. She witnessed with joy that Rob could now pray for us and with us with all of heaven's hosts! "He is part of that great heavenly prayer meeting being led by Jesus!"

In the same way we continue to see St. Paul being constantly led by the Lord from one city to another and then somethin happens that would forever change the course of the Church. Jesus showed Paul there was a whole quarry apart from the Jewish believers who still went to Temple or the Synogogue or who had not yet believed. They were actually fighting against themselves as some blasphemed when Paul spoke of Jesus being The Promised Messiah (Yehoshua Mashiach). Their commentary on his preaching became so rash Paul shook his clothes before them as a sign of their blasphemy! He did not go as far as to tear His clothes, because he was no longer a Pharisee, but a Jesus follower. At that moment the course of the Gospel to the Jew first and also to the Gentile changed to a map of heaven that would lead Paul to the Gentiles from now on. This did not exclude the Jews or in any way exclude them, they were by choice of unbelief choosing to not beleive the Good News so that the Gentiles might be the ones whose eyes were open to the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Imagin that! Paul would speak to those who had no knowlege of Jesus, no Jewish point of reference outside the preaching and teaching of those harnessed to the Gospel plough. The personalitites became the Gospel. The gentiles or the "rest of the world outside Jusdaism) would read the lives of those who were Jesus followers and the Holy Spirit would confirm to them that it was Jesus Himself who was tranforming their lives. he secret weapon, the secret universe, the secret reality they lived in was the love, joy and peace Jesus gave to each one every day when they sat down and fed on The Bread of Jesus flesh and the wine of Jesus blood! "#BeBoldBelieve" heaen conveyed to Paul in a vision at this moment! Tell the world to #BeBoldBelieve!" 9 Then the Lord spoke to Paul in the night through a vision, saying, “Be not afraid, but speak and hold not thy peace!10 For I am with thee, and no man shall set upon thee to hurt thee, for I have many people in this city.”

Who is speaking here? It is Jesus. It is the King speaking to Paul about His realm and the need He has for these living stones to continue to build His eternal Kingdom!

EIGHTEEN 21st Century King James Version

​Jesus is turning the heart of Paul to the Gentiles after the Jews cursed His PolemicKEY VERSES 4-5KEY VERSES 9-10KEY VERSE 26 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Color Code The Ongoing Ministry of Jesus in around and through the ChurchYellow/gold = Seeing Jesus continued ministryTeal/blue = Seeing the action of the Holy Spirit to reveal JesusBurgundy/red = Seeing the ongoing and evolving mission/witness of the Church to the Testimony of Jesus

1 After these things, Paul departed from Athens and came to Corinth.2 There he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus and lately come from Italy with his wife Priscilla,because Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome. Paul went unto them,3 and because he was of the same craft, he lodged with them and worked; for by their occupation they were tentmakers.4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.5And when Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia,Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.6 But when they opposed themselves and blasphemed,

Paul shook his raiment and said unto them, “Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.”

7 And he departed thence and entered into a certain man’s house named Justus, one who worshiped God and whose house was adjoining the synagogue.

8 And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, with all his house. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.The Lord Appears to Paul

9 Then the Lord spoke to Paul in the night through a vision, saying, “Be not afraid, but speak and hold not thy peace.10 For I am with thee, and no man shall set upon thee to hurt thee, for I have many people in this city.”

11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the Word of God among them.​12 And when Gallio was deputy of Achaia, the Jews with one accord began an insurrection against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat,13 saying, “This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law.”

14 And when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye Jews, reason would have it that I should bear with you.15 But if it be a question of words and names and your own law, look ye to it; for I will not be judge of such matters.”16 And he drove them from the judgment seat.

17 Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the judgment seat. But Gallio was concerned about none of those things.

18And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren andsailed then into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila, having shorn his head at Cenchrea, for he had made a vow.

19 And he came to Ephesus and left them there, buthe himself entered into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews.20 When they desired him to tarry a longer time with them, he consented not,21 but bade them farewell, saying, “I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem, but I will return again unto you, if God wills.” And he sailed from Ephesus.22 And when he had landed at Caesarea and had gone up and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch.

23 And after he had spent some time there, he departed and went through all the country of Galatia and Phrygiain order, strengthening all the disciples.24 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. 25 This man was instructed in the Way of the Lord; and being fervent in the Spirit, he spoke and taught diligently the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John.

26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla had heard him,

they took him in and expounded to him the Way of God more perfectly.

27 And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him. And when he had come, he helped them much who had believed through grace; 28 for he mightily refuted the Jews (and that publicly), showing by the Scriptures that Jesus was Christ.

Paul continues His 2nd Gospel Marching Forth in Mission from one city to another as led by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit brings him to Corinth to meet Roman Jewish Believers, Aquila and Priscilla woho would then continue with Paul to meet Apollos, and Egyptian believer who only knew salvation history up to the Baptism of John. In Syria Aquilla and priscilla would be used by the Lord to bring Apollos up to speed.

What happened in Corinth was a turning point in salvation history. The Gospel's focus would begin to move to the non-Jewish population of the world. In Corinth Paul tried very hard by followingg his pattern to go to the Synogogue first and then to the populace outside.

​4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. 5And when Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia,Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.

​6 But when they opposed themselves and blasphemed, Paul shook his raiment and said unto them, “Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.”

HOUSE TO HOUSENo Longer the Synogogue...

His next stop was a house meeting at the house of Justus which was actually attched to the same synogogue. From now on the Church found its purpose and meaning in commuunion as they broke bread from house to house.

The Holy Spirit brought Paul to a place where he witnessed the door of the Gospel of grace being closed along with the doors of the Synogogue and the hearts of the Jewish people. But then the Lord spoke to him about facing this development with a new vision.

But - note that Crispus, the Chief Ruler of the Synogue converted to Christianity as did everyone in his house.

In the houses of Justus and Crispus Paul, Timothy and Silas (probably accompanied by Luke, the journalist and Physician) many heard, believed and were baptized. So the Lord encoureged this new level of the evolution of the Gospel.The Lord Appears to Paul to Confirm The New Direction

9 Then the Lord spoke to Paul in the night through a vision, saying, “Be not afraid, but speak and hold not thy peace.

10 For I am with thee, and no man shall set upon thee to hurt thee, for I have many people in this city.”

So Paul continued with His evangelism team for 18 months more in Corinth with Aquilla, Priscilla, Silas, Timothy and Luke who got a first hand experience in how to share the Gospel with a world who did not know the way of the the Jews... free and clear of the law of sin and death.

Now He preached the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus! in a whole new way to open the gates of righteousness to the Gentiles and the Lord added crispus, Sosthenes and then Apollos in the next city to the ever increasing army of those who became martyr-level witnesses about their personal relationship with Jesus Christ through the meal of the New and everlasting Covenent, Communion with the fire of Christ's glory!

Sosthenes had been elected chief ruler of the synagogue because Crispus had become a Christian. His persecution came because he was a Jew and associated with the synagogue. Paul’s persecution came from his bold witness for the Lord Jesus Christ. Sosthenes also may have become a believer, and when Paul left Corinth he went with him. We find in the salutation to 1 Corinthians the following greeting,

“Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and SOSTHENES, OUR BROTHER, Unto the church of God which is at Corinth.” - 1 Corinthians 1:1So revival came to Corinth as well as persecution both of the Christians and the Jews, becase the two rulers of the Synogue became Christians. This is where we would find Paul writing about His encounter with Jesus who personally instructed him in the grace, simplicity and power of CommunionFire.

​Paul employs two keys to open doors as His Missionary journeys continue.

KEY ONEHe reaches out to the Jews of the community first and then shares the Gospel with the Gentiles.

KEY TWO He preaches and opens the Scriptures

Some believe and some do not. Some become so incensed that they seek to destroy Paul and Silas. Their fanaticism is no less than it was when Saul/Paul was persecuting the first Christians. The Lord uses the persecution to move Paul, Silas and Timothy to the city of Berea. The Church Thessalonica has ongoing problems from fanatical Jews who are outraged by the Gospel of Jesus.

Berea was much more accepting and many Jews and Gentiles believed. But the Jews in Thessalonica heard that there was an awakening going on in Berea, so they assempled and mobbed together against the Apostle Paul. paul slips out of town in the middle of the night and his associates stayed behind. Paul sends for them from Athens and is almost overcome by their idolatry...

Athens brings Paul to street level ministry... the Holy Spirit reveals the power of Jesus through the wisdom of Paul's polemics. we could seek after God, and not just grope around in the dark but actually find him. He doesn’t play hide-and-seek with us. He’s not remote; he’s near.

SEVENTEEN The Message

Jesus is visible to those who believe in the preaching and scripturesKEY VERSE: 2-4 preach, open scriptures, turn to believe Messiah and some rebelKEY VERSE: 10-12 Synogog, preaching teaching and conversion of many​KEY VERSE: 30-31 some convinced including a judge and gentle woman +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Color Code The Ongoing Ministry of Jesus in around and through the ChurchYellow/gold = Seeing Jesus continued ministryTeal/blue = Seeing the action of the Holy Spirit to reveal JesusBurgundy/red = Seeing the ongoing and evolving mission/witness of the Church to the Testimony of Jesus

biblos.com

Jesus shows upthrough the ministry of Paul on the road to Thessalonica, Berea and Athens - it was much the same way Jesus first showed upon the First Day of His Resurrection on the Emmaus Road with Cleopas and his wife, Mary Cleopas​(Luke 24:13-39, John 19:25)Thessalonica Community of Jews 1st and also Greeks

1-3 They took the road south through Amphipolis and Apollonia to Thessalonica, where there was a community of Jews. Paul went to their meeting place, as he usually did when he came to a town, and for three Sabbaths running he preached to them from the Scriptures. He opened up the texts so they understood what they’d been reading all their lives: that the Messiah absolutely had to be put to death and raised from the dead—there were no other options—and that “this Jesus I’m introducing you to is that Messiah.”

4-5 Some of them were won over and joined ranks with Paul and Silas, among them a great many God-fearing Greeks and a considerable number of women from the aristocracy. But the hard-line Jews became furious over the conversions. Mad with jealousy, they rounded up a bunch of brawlers off the streets and soon had an ugly mob terrorizing the city as they hunted down Paul and Silas.

5-7 They broke into Jason’s House (To Heal; about to cure - relative of St. Paul; Romans 16:21), thinking that Paul and Silas were there. When they couldn’t find them, they collared Jason and his friends instead and dragged them before the city fathers, yelling hysterically, “These people are out to destroy the world, and now they’ve shown up on our doorstep, attacking everything we hold dear! And Jason is hiding them, these traitors and turncoats who say Jesus is king and Caesar is nothing!”

8-9 The city fathers and the crowd of people were totally alarmed by what they heard. They made Jason and his friends post heavy bail and let them go while they investigated the charges.

10-12 That night, under cover of darkness, their friends got Paul and Silas out of town as fast as they could. They sent them to Berea, where they again met with the Jewish community. They were treated a lot better there than in Thessalonica.The Jews received Paul’s message with enthusiasm and met with him daily, examining the Scriptures to see if they supported what he said. A lot of them became believers, including many Greeks who were prominent in the community, women and men of influence.

13-15 But it wasn’t long before reports got back to the Thessalonian hard-line Jews that Paul was at it again, preaching the Word of God, this time in Berea. They lost no time responding, and created a mob scene there, too. With the help of his friends, Paul gave them the slip—caught a boat and put out to sea.Silas and Timothy stayed behind. The men who helped Paul escape got him as far as Athens and left him there. Paul sent word back with them to Silas and Timothy: “Come as quickly as you can!”

Athens: Jews 1st then "Street" Greeks

16 The longer Paul waited in Athens for Silas and Timothy, the angrier he got—all those idols! The city was a junkyard of idols.

17-18 He discussed it with the Jews and other like-minded people at their meeting place. And every day he went out on the streets and talked with anyone who happened along. He got to know some of the Epicurean and Stoic intellectuals pretty well through these conversations.Some of them dismissed him with sarcasm: “What an airhead!”But others, listening to him go on about Jesus and the resurrection, were intrigued: “That’s a new slant on the gods. Tell us more.”

19-21These people got together and asked him to make a public presentation over at the Areopagus, where things were a little quieter. They said, “This is a new one on us. We’ve never heard anything quite like it. Where did you come up with this anyway? Explain it so we can understand.” Downtown Athens was a great place for gossip. There were always people hanging around, natives and tourists alike, waiting for the latest tidbit on most anything.

22-23 So Paul took his stand in the open space at the Areopagus and laid it out for them. “It is plain to see that you Athenians take your religion seriously. When I arrived here the other day, I was fascinated with all the shrines I came across. And then I found one inscribed, to the god nobody knows. I’m here to introduce you to this God so you can worship intelligently, know who you’re dealing with.24-29 “The God who made the world and everything in it, this Master of sky and land, doesn’t live in custom-made shrines or need the human race to run errands for him, as if he couldn’t take care of himself. He makes the creatures; the creatures don’t make him. Starting from scratch, he made the entire human race and made the earth hospitable, with plenty of time and space for living so

we could seek after God, and not just grope around in the dark but actually find him. He doesn’t play hide-and-seek with us. He’s not remote; he’s near.

​We live and move in him, can’t get away from him! One of your poets said it well: ‘We’re the God-created.’ Well, if we are the God-created, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to think we could hire a sculptor to chisel a god out of stone for us, does it?

30-31 “God overlooks it as long as you don’t know any better—but that time is past. The unknown is now known, and he’s calling for a radical life-change. He has set a day when the entire human race will be judged and everything set right. And he has already appointed the judge, confirming him before everyone by raising him from the dead.”

32-34 At the phrase “raising him from the dead,” the listeners split: Some laughed at him and walked off making jokes; others said,“Let’s do this again. We want to hear more.” But that was it for the day, and Paul left. There were still others, it turned out, who were convinced then and there, and stuck with Paul—among them Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris.

"Morning Has Broken"Eleanor Farjeon, 1931The United Methodist Hymnal, No. 145Morning has brokenLike the first morning;Blackbird has spokenLike the first bird.Praise for the singing!Praise for the morning!Praise for them springingFresh from the Word!

On the Road (like Emmaus in Luke 24)13Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven milesa from Jerusalem.14They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16but they were kept from recognizing him.17He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”They stood still, their faces downcast. 18One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”19“What things?” he asked.“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”25He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken!26Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?”27And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.28As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.30When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”33They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.Jesus Appears to the Disciples36While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”37They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds?39Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”40When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?”42They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43and he took it and ate it in their presence.44He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”45Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day,47and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.48You are witnesses of these things.49I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

This is a 1st Century altar from Greece "To The unknown God"

In Chapter 17 of Acts we begin to see the power of the Gospel to include the early fabric of Christian Apology and Polemics. The defence of the faith and construct of dealing with the intellectual opposition of those bound to understanding good and evil apart from the revelation of Jesus (In whom we live and move and find our being). This would continue to evolve especiallyin the fist 400 years of the Church.

In this Chapter we see The Unknown God has been made known but only to those who believe that Jesus rose from the dead.

Intellectual curiosity is relative. If you believe it is because of a personal revelation of the power of God's love for you.

​If you 'believe not' it doesn't necessarily mean that the seeds planted in the hearing of the Gospel will go fruitless.

The warmth and goodness of God's love, the conviction of sin, righteousness and judgement by the Holy Spirit and the process of time can even turn the hardest heart into putty and the most enslaved mind to knowlege of good and evil into a radar of the Holy Spirit.

​God's love can bridge even the widest chasm over the most troubled waters.

Jeremiah 31:12-1412 "They will come and shout for joy on the height of Zion, And they will be radiant over the bounty of the LORD-- Over the grain and the new wine and the oil, And over the young of the flock and the herd; And their life will be like a watered garden, And they will never languish again. 13"Then the virgin will rejoice in the dance, And the young men and the old, together, For I will turn their mourning into joy And will comfort them and give them joy for their sorrow. 14"I will fill the soul of the priests with abundance, And My people will be satisfied with My goodness," declares the LORD

Isaiah 51:10-1210 Was it not You who dried up the sea, The waters of the great deep; Who made the depths of the sea a pathway For the redeemed to cross over? 11 So the ransomed of the LORD will return And come with joyful shouting to Zion, And everlasting joy will be on their heads. They will obtain gladness and joy, And sorrow and sighing will flee away. 12 "I, even I, am He who comforts you.

Psalm 30:10-1210"Hear, O LORD, and be gracious to me; O LORD, be my helper." 11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness, 12 That my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever